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India desperate to stem the rot with win against Pakistan  x10
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August 17, 2005 
Outlook India
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ANUPAM GHULATI
Having been pushed out of medal contention, an insipid India will desperately look to break the agonising sequence of debacles when they clash with archrivals Pakistan in the Rabo Trophy hockey tournament here tomorrow.
India have already lost both their games in the tournament to European powerhouse Spain and World Champions Germany and would now play classification matches for the 5-8 places in this eight-nation tournament.
Their body language so far has suggested that there is something grossly wrong somewhere. Most senior players look stale and jaded and there seems to be no motivation for the sparks to fly.
The players need to get out of their shackles and be given the feeling of self belief by the team management before the match against Pakistan who played a goalless draw with Spain yesterday.
Even though India are not in contention for the top slots, a win over Pakistan could put them in the third place of their Pool.
India's coach Rajinder Singh Jr has expressed his displeasure at the showing of his senior players here. He is not the only one, as many of their Dutch fans here feel that perhaps the Rotterdam Junior World Cup squad may have given a better account.
Pakistan coach Asif Bajwa is all fired up after the draw against Spain and was exuding dollops of confidence, saying "we will win tomorrow". Pakistan possess a couple of world class strikers in Rehan Butt and Shakeel Abbasi. The forwards, coupled with sturdy midfielders like skipper Mohammad Saqlain and Ghazanfar Ali, are capable of ripping open any defence.
Also goalkeeper Salman Akbar appears to be on the way to join the world's best, the spectacular saves against Spain yesterday bearing testimony to the fact.
A do or die effort has to come from India with a coordinated and combined display of aggression by their forwards Deepak Thakur, Prabhjot Singh, Gagan Ajit Singh and Rajpal Singh. The midfielders, particularly Bimal Lakra and Viren Rasquinha, also need to put in something extra to make up for the deficiencies of Prabhdeep Singh and Davinder Pal.
Skipper Dilip Tirkey must find his rhythm and flow if the Indians are to keep their heads high, at least for the moment.
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Comments on this article
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HARRY SINGH
08-18-2005 10:34 am
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PAK.LEADING BY 1-0(SAQLAIN IN 15 TH. MIN)
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HARRY SINGH
08-18-2005 11:26 am
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IND.REDUCETO 1-2(RAJPAL54 MIN.)
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Canadian
08-18-2005 12:52 pm
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Wow!
This is pakistan's 13th win against India in the last 17 matches played since Jan 2004.
It is unbelievable. India only won two games againt Pakistan since 2004, with remaing two games ending in a draw.
I don't think Pakistani players are more skilled than Indians but they definitly have stronger nerves and confidence than their opponents.
Any comments from Pakistani/Indian fans?
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Gruman
08-18-2005 2:51 pm
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skill!?
Re:Canadian
"13 wins in 17 matches" thats an 86% record my friend...and being objective...the dutch posses a similar stranglehold on Pakistan ..which is a testement to the fact that they own a superior skill set on the field. in IndvsPakistan..the same has to be true...coz "nerves" wont win you 9 matches out of ten if u posses the same skill set as your opponent.
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Abjish
08-18-2005 4:02 pm
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India are rubbish. Many years ago it was a big deal when these two played each other. Nowadays India are so pathetic it is a shock if Pakistan fail to beat them. Doesn't matter what kind of side pakistan has- whether Sohail is playing or they are experimenting- India are just rubbish. That is the sad truth for us Indian supporters.
There are big problems mentally when the Indian players get to the national team. I can't see any real long term cure for us. We are expecting to lose each and every time. 30 years ago we had a mental block against Pakistan, Holland & Germany. Now we can add Spain, Argentina,Korea, NZealand. Malaysia are very hard to beat. This is because our players are not good enough.
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desi
08-18-2005 6:22 pm
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to canadian !
ALL I CAN SAY IS " PAKISTAN ZINDABAD ".........
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Sally
08-18-2005 8:07 pm
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Good questions
I am an Indian fan. But I think Indian fans should conceed as a generalization that Pakistani players are superior players to India's. That may be controversial to some.
But lets break it down, and tell me where you disagree where India is ahead:
We see player quality (mental, physical, speed and skill) and bench strength superiority judged accurately or not based on performance. (on field factors)
But there is a lot more intangibles and front end stuff: player selection, team building, coach leadership, camp preparation and tactical adaptations as inputs to the player. (off-field factors).
Which one is it that India lacks? Or is it both? Or is it the other way around, yet pakistan wins. ha hah hah
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Paki
08-19-2005 6:51 am
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Main Reason
Indians Players are of same potential as Pakistanis, The only thing thay lack is Confidence/Mental aproach.
They need coach leadership, a quality good coach, may be from some other country like Holland.
When every they got believe in their selfs, they can beat any team of the world.
I am Pakistani........but i wish good luck to Indian in future......
.......Pakistan Zindabad.............
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